Good water quality is essential to successful hatchery production (see Site Selection) but even high-quality water must be treated to remove unwanted organisms. Another larger space with special lighting, separate from the main hatchery, is needed to grow larger volumes of algae. If algal cultures are to be produced, there must be a clean room with special lighting for starting cultures. Aeration throughout the hatchery is supplied by an appropriate size blower, overhead PVC piping, vinyl tubing, and good quality air stones. Shallow rectangular tanks with drain pipes provide nursery space for juvenile oysters. 4) that can handle the maximum expected water flow helps keep water off the floor. Drain pipes make it convenient to drain water and sieve larvae. Tanks for larval production are circular, generally 250 gallons (946 L) or larger, and have center drains and sloping or conical bottoms. Treated sea- water is then suitable for larval and algal production. The plumbing is designed with a water filtration and treatment system consisting of some combination of rapid sand filters, cartridge filters, activated carbon, ultraviolet (UV) sterilization or pasteurization (Fig. Photo: Massachusetts Oyster Project.Small cartridge and ultraviolet sterilizer filter system for treating seawater. To learn more about the Massachusetts Oyster Project, visit their website at.

Since oysters do best on hard substrates, such as rocks or pebbles, rather than sandy or muddy habitats, they do not compete with clams for habitat. This is important on the North Shore, where the clam harvest is an important industry. Prior to release, MOP works closely with the Division of Marine Fisheries and the town's shellfish warden or constable to select appropriate release sites.In the summer of 2018, MOP conducted a habitat suitability study on the North Shore, and identified locations suited for oyster propagation. Another 200,000 were released in November on the North Shore.Ĭurrent state regulations prohibit the release of oysters in restricted waters. Since 2017, MOP has released over 200,000 native oysters.

At that point, the oysters will be released.

They begin as the size of red pepper flakes, and will grow to about an inch by fall. In Gloucester, MOP continues to work with Maritime Gloucester to develop educational curriculum and material for visitors and student groups. In Marblehead, MOP works with the Marblehead Charter School's Shark Club, a group of students interested in marine science. The students help with the maintenance and operation of the upweller. In Hyannis, MOP is coordinating with the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, a group focused on improving Barnstable's water quality. In the beginning of the summer, each upweller receives approximately 60,000 oyster spat. T his project advances MassBays’ mission to inform state regulators by demonstrating the social and environmental benefits of oysters, including the opportunity to restore oysters to their coastal communities.Ĭurrently, MOP runs two additional upweller projects in Gloucester, as well as upweller systems in Marblehead and Hyannis. At each site, MOP is building opportunities to work with partners, including volunteers. In 2018, with funding from MassBays, MOP was able to move forward and strengthen the Gloucester program and replicate the project in Marblehead. That year, over 5,000 students and 20,000 guests interacted with this program. This exciting educational program served to measure the oysters' impact on local water pollution. In 2017, the Massachusetts Oyster Project (MOP) built an oyster upweller pilot project on Maritime Gloucester's main pier in downtown Gloucester and successfully raised 60,000 oyster spat.

Students oyster spat